Parachute release mechanism



April 18, 1950 .1. L. HIGHT PARACHUTE RELEASE MECHANISM Filed Jan. 2,1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR. Jfl/l /fS L. ///6//7 J. L. HIGHTPARACHUTE RELEASE MECHANISM April 18, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan.2, 1947 INVENTORQ Jfl/WES 1. 19/6/47 M5 irfaWE/- Patented Apr. 18, 1950UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, asamended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) 15 Claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or forthe government for governmental purposes without the payment to me ofany royalty thereon.

My invention relates to, a parachute release mechanism having thepurpose of freeing a parachutist from a parachute and its attendantharness. It particularly relates, to a new and useful mechanism whicheffects an automatic, safe, and rapid release from the. parachute andits attendant. harness at the instant. when the user contacts theground, the sea, or any other similar object upon which he mightdescend.

For the purpose of personal safety, it is always desirable for theparachutist to be able to free himself rapidly from the parachute andthe harness at the earliest possible moment after landing, inasmuch asthe dragging effect of the parachute may injure him, or, in the case ofa water landing, the encumbrance of the parachute might even result indrowning if the parachutist is unable to free himself immediately.Moreover, it is highly desirable that his hands be free as much of thetime as possible in order to permit him to perform emergency operationssuch as the operation of life rafts, flares, and similar apparatus. Inthe case of military paratroopers endeavoring to land in hostileterritory, rapid. release. is still more desirable, inasmuch as theparatrooper must be prepared at the earliest possible' moment to engagethe enemy or to seek cover from attack. Moreover, his hands mustvbefree-as much of the time as possible during the descent in order toperm-it the manipulation of firearms or other defensive or offensiveequip ment without delay or interruption.

I have found that release mechanisms hitherto used have not beenentirely satisfactory, in that they require direct manual operation ator after the moment of landing, consequently requiring the employment ofthe hands, which might otherwise be used for other purposes. Thedisadvantage to: the user is thus twofold; he may be deprived of the useof auxiliary or emergency apparatus while operating the releasemechanism; and he may be unable to free himself ,at all for any reasonhis hands are incapacitated, as by previous injury or because they areentangled.- in auxiliary apparatus. In contrast, my

invention obviates these difliculties by providing r for an automaticrelease of the parachute and its attendant harness at the moment oflanding. Without the employment of the paratroopers hands. The automaticrelease is effected in response to the relaxa on of tens o i he p chuterisers which occurs when the parachutist contacts. the ground andthereby relieves the parachute risers of their load.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide a simple andeffective mechanism designed to permit the rapid and automatic releaseof the parachute and the harness from the user at the moment of landingor at any other time when he chooses to jettison his parachute underemergency conditions.

In addition to the advantage obtained by the automatic operation asaforesaid, my invention has certain other advantages over the deviceshitherto used for the same purpose.

For example, because of the simple construction which I have devised,the mechanism will operate properly regardless of whether or not it isfouled with mud, dirt, or other similar impediments which are likely toencumber the mechanism inactual use under field conditions.

Another object of my invention resides in the provision of a device inwhich the D-rings of the parachute are anchored on teeth which aresprings urged out of engagement with the D- rings. Consequently, whenthe tension on the D- rings is relaxed, the teeth will be disengagedtherefrom, and the parachute will be released from its load. A safetydevice is provided for positively locking the teeth in engagement withthe D-rings until such time as it is found desirable to release them tothe action of the springurged disengaging means.

A still further advantage resides in the fact that because of thesimplicity of my construction it is singularly adapted to massproduction on a rapid and economical basis.

My invention will be readily understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings and the following specification, which in conjunction describeone embodiment of the invention. It will be understood, of course, thatother embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims willoccur to those skilled in the art to which it appertains.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 represents an exploded view of the entirerelease mechanism; Figs. 2 and 4 represent sectional views of themechanism in unlocked position; while Figs. 3 and 5 represent similarviews of the mechanism in its locked position. Fig. 6 is a view showingone way in which my release mechanism may be used to attach a parachuteto a human load.

By reference to the drawings, it will be noted that the inventioncomprises generally a base member I containing spring-actuatedretractible teeth 2, which are biased by springs 3 to protrude in theirnormally extended position through a lock plate 4 fixedly secured tobase member I by screws 5. When the mechanism is in locked position(Figs. 3 and 5) hereinafter described, the teeth 2 also protrude througha release plate 6 and, under pressure from springs 3, into firm contactwith a retaining plate I, which is fixedly spaced from the release plate6. When the release mechanism is in the locked position, the teeth 2thus serve to retain D-rings 8 in a locked position (as shown in Figs. 3and 5) between the release plate '6 and the retaining plate I. TheD-rings 8 are attached directly to the parachute risers; i. e., thelines which normally connect the parachute umbrella portion to the loadto be dropped. Alternatively, the D-rings may be fastened to the strapsforming the harness which normally retains the parachute assembly to theload, which may be either a man or some dead weight object.

The fixed structure formed by the release plate 6 and the retainingplate I is arranged to move in reciprocating fashion between locked andunlocked position by means of the plunger 9, which is biased toward, theoutward or unlocked position away from base I by springs I 0 (Fig. 1).When the plunger 9 is retracted to the locked position by manualpressure on retaining plate I, against the pressure of springs I0, thestructure comprising the release plate 6 and the retaining plate I isdrawn into contact with the base member I, with the result that theteeth 2 pass directly through the release plate 6 into firm contact withthe retaining plate I, as aforesaid, so that they may bar any movementof the D-rings B which might tend to free the parachute harness from therelease mechanism. In the extended or unlocked position of the releasemechanism, the structure comprising the release plate 6 and theretaining plate 'I is pushed by the plunger 9 away from the base memberI by action of springs I0, so that the teeth 2 are withdrawn from thespace between the release plate 6 and the retaining plate I, therebyfreeing the D-rings 8 so that they and the parachute risers or harnessmay fall free of the release mechanism and the wearer.

For the purpose of locking the release mechanism in its lockedpositioni. e., in the position in which the release plate 9 and itsattendant structure are held in close contact with the base I--there isprovided a locking structure comprising lock bar iI, which is passedthrough a side hole of the block I and is arranged for reciprocatingmotion into engaging or disengaging relationship with a locking lug I2on the lower end of the plunger 9. In the locked position of themechanism, the lock bar II will engage with a hole in the lug I2 in sucha manner as to secure the plunger 9 and thereby the structure of therelease plate 6 and the retaining plate I in the inward or lockedposition against the outward pressure of the compressed springs Ill. Thelock bar I I is normally forced to the inward or locking position by theaction of the spring I3. Release of the mechanism to the unlockedposition is effected by a withdrawal of the lock bar II by means of thelever I4, which, when manually operated, withdraws the lock bar I I fromlocking lug I2 on the end of plunger 9, thereby permitting the springsI0 to force the plunger 9, the retaining plate I, and the release plate6 away from the block I to disengage the D-rings from the teeth 2 in themanner aforesaid.

In greater detail, the construction of the mechanism is as follows. Theplunger 9 is rigidly secured to the release plate 6 by means of thescrews I5. The release plate 6 and the retaining plate I are securedtogether in fixed spaced relationship by means of cylindrical spacingmembers I6 and screws I1 extending through retaining plate I and spacingmembers I6 into threaded engagement with release plate 6. An annularflange I8 on plunger 9 is provided to engage lock plate 4 in theunlocked position, thereby limiting the outward movement of thestructure comprising plunger 9, release plate 6, and retaining plate Itwill be noted that the teeth 2 have, on their outward ends, inclinedsurfaces I9, which are designed to serve as means for readily insertingthe D-rings between the release plate 6 and the retaining plate I by thesimple expedient of pressing the D-rings against these surfaces I9 withsufficient force to permit the teeth 2 to retract against the springaction of the springs 3 and permit the D-rings to pass inwardly. Aftersuch inward passage, the teeth return under the pressure of the springs3 into firm contact with the release plate I, thereby securely lockingthe D- rings in position. The lower end of each tooth is drilled out toallow the insertion of the springs 3, which bias the teeth to theoutward position and hold them in firm contact with the release plate I.It will also be noted that on either side of the teeth is a flattenedsurface 20, which cooperates with a corresponding flattened surface 2Iin the openings in the lock plate 4. The interaction of these flattenedsurfaces 20 and 2| prevents the teeth from rotating to a position inwhich the inclined surfaces I9 are faced inwardly, with the result thatthe D-rings would be improperly released by the pressure which theywould then exert on the surfaces I9. There is also provided a shoulderportion 22 on the sides of the teeth 2 to serve as a stop for the teethwhen such shoulder portion engages the lock plate 4. This is for thepurpose of limiting the outward movement of the teeth 2 so that theywill not follow the release plate 6 when the latter is moved away fromthe teeth 2 by the plunger 9 in the unlocking movement.

On the inner side of the teeth, there may also be provided a concave orserrated surface 23, which may be desirable in order to increase thefriction between the D-rings 8 and the teeth 2. As explainedhereinafter, a frictional force at that point is necessary to insure thedesired automatic action. I have found the friction provided by a fiattooth surface to be sufiicient, but I have suggested the concave orserrated surface 23 to increase the same as a safety factor wherenecessary.

The member 24 constitutes a cylindrical dummy tooth which isspring-biased into engagement with retaining plate I. Except for thespecial surfaces and shoulders, it is the same as teeth 2 inconstruction and serves as an aid to maintain the alignment of thevarious parts. It can, of course, be replaced by another tooth 2 ifdesired.

In greater detail, the locking structure is as follows. The locking barII is provided with an annular flange 25 and a flattened end portion 26terminating at shoulder 21. The lever I4 is provided with a suitablecentral channel 28, into which the flattened end portion 26 is insertedand pivotally secured by means of pin 29, which passes through suitableholes in both the lever I4 and the flattened end portion 26. Thecompression spring I3 exerts reaction forces on both annular dance .25and -a-;col1ar 3.3.9 to bias the locking-bar lllto itsrinwardorlockingposition. Ifhe ever :ikmay be mounted unonthe base I in any suitablemanner, such as 'by the block 3,0, which is rigidly ecured to the base I:by suitable bolts or screws.

As an added precaution, an auxiliary safety lock is provided 1 3,0preclude accidental operation .of the lock lever M, such as byinadvertent strikin f ,the lever by the hands or "arms of theparachutist during descent. The-auxiliary safety lock takes the form ofas-lide 3i positioned adjacent .tothe base -I :and adapted to-slidebetween the base and .theqblcck in ;a groove .32 cut into the latter.Theslide isprovided with a keyhole 33, through which the locking bar {llpasses and which :is designed to engage in locking position the shoulder21 of the lock bar I. As will be noted from the drawing, the narrow endof the keyhole will engage the shoulder ,2! and ,prevent outward passageof the lock bar 11, thereby prohibiting unlocking. When the slide ispushed to th other end manually, the larger end of the keyhole isbrought into juxtaposition with the shoulder 21, and, since the largerend of the keyhole is larger than shoulder .21, thelatter may ireel-ypass through it, permitting unlocking of the lockbar ll whenever theoperator so .desires by operation of the lever 14. Slide .3! forms thelower side ,of asliding cover-34 .for the lever 14. Slide 3| is operatedby manual pressure on cover 34.. ,Cover ,34 is provided with twotransverse pins and :36 designed .to cooperate, respective- Ly, with alocking slot 31 and a :cam surface .38 on the lever l4. When slide.3land cover34 are in the locked position, the pin .35 will engage slot 31and prevent any rotation .of the lever M. As the cover 34 and th slide.31 are mOVGd toward the unlocked position, the pin 35 will disengageSlot 31, whereupon the pin 36 will exert pressure upon cam surface .38to rotate lever .14 into a position where'it may readilybe grasped bythe operator for further manipulation to unlock the locking bar H. Tohold the slide 3;! :more firmly in :its locked position, a Spring-biasedball 40 may be provided to exert pressure against a hole 4,! inslidel..zspringm will press theball =40 against the hole il l with-sufiicientforce to prevent undesirable movement of the slide, as by gravity. Theball 40 will, of course, be caused ,to retract when manual pressure isexerted on cover 34 during the unlocking movement.

In Figure 6 is shown one method of applying my release mechanism,indicated generally at 50, to a conventional type of parachute harness.As shown here, the D-r-ingsB are attached toharness straps 48, which arejoined in awell-known manner to the parachute risers .49.

The operation of the entire mechanism follows. When the operator inhisdescent reaches a point, preferably not far from the ground, fromwhich he can foresee a safe landing, he will prepare the mechanism forautomatic operation so that it will effect a release at the actualmoment of contact with the ground. To do so, he will remove the safetylock action by pushing the lever l4 downward, thereby withdrawing thelock bar H from contact with the locking lug 12 on the plunger 9, theauxiliary safety lock slide 3! having previously been pushed to itsunlocking position by manual pressure on cover 34. At this point, theplunger 9, together with the structure of the release plate 6 and theretaining plate 1, will not move outward to release the D-rings 8 fromthe teeth 2, because the tension of the arachute risers acting on the:D-rings will create sufficient frictional force between the Iii-ringsand the inner sides of the teeth 2 to overcome the tendency of thecompressed springs I10 to push the D-rings away from contact with theteeth .2. The mechanism, therefore, remains in a closed position, with.the D-rings rigidly held :in the mechanism. Upon contact of .theoperator with the ground, the tension of the parachute risers isautomatically removed, since the risers are relieved of their load. ThefIlCtiOIIaIEfOICBS, therefore, disappear, and the springs ID arethereupon freed to push the D-rings, the plunger 9 and its attendantmechanism, the release plate 6, and the retaining plate 1 outward awayfrom the teeth. The D-rings are thereby automatically freedfrom theretaining action of the teeth and fall outward to permit the parachuterisers and harness to fall away from the user. As already indicated, thefrictional force may be increased, if desired, by the use of concave orserrated surfaces .23 on the inner sides of the teeth. Similarly, thesure faces of the D-rings may be serrated at their point of contact withthe teeth 2.

If the operator should land in a tree or similar obstruction and findhimself suspended in the so by pulling downward on the risers. It willbe understood, however, that he will be careful not to unfasten thelocking lever at any moment when he is being tossed about in hisparachute by atmospheric turbulence or like disturbances, inasmuch assuch disturbances may momentarily relieve the tension in the risers andprematurely release the mechanism. Similarly, if he foresees a landingin a tree or like undesirable obstruction, he will be careful not tounfasten the locking lever until he has ceased all violent swayingmotion and has had opportunity to determine that it will be safe torelease himself and drop to the ground.

Although I have described my invention in considerable detail and havetherefore utilized certain specific terms and languageherein, it is tobe understood that the present disclosure is illustrative rather thanrestrictive and that changes and 1- odifications may be resorted towithout departing :the spirit or scope of the claims appended hereto.

What I claim is: 1

1. A parachute quick-release devicecomprising a base, a part mounted forsliding movement on said 'hase,.a pair of plates secured :to .said part,an element mounted on said base and extending into the space betweensaid plates, means for resiliently urging said part to move outwardlyfrom said base so as to carry said plates away from said. element, and astrain member normally pressed into engagement with said element in thespace between said plates so as to prevent said urging means for movingsaid part outwardly until the pressure on said strain member isrelieved.

2. The invention recited in claim 1 including a selectively operablemeans for positively preventing said urging means from moving said partoutwardly and so preventing premature operation of said device.

within said base, a pair of spaced plates secured to said plunger, aplurality of apertured strain members located within the space betweensaid plates, a retaining tooth extending through the aperture in each ofsaid strain members, said teeth being mounted in said base and extendinginto the space between said plates, means for resiliently urging saidplunger outwardly so as to carry said plates away from said teeth, andmeans normally tending to press said strain members against said teethso as to frictionally restrain said urging means from moving saidplunger outwardly until said pressure is relieved, whereupon saidplunger and plates will be moved outwardly and said strain members willbe released from said teeth.

5. An automatic parachute release mechanism comprising a body member,plurality of para chute engaging pins projecting from said mem ber, arecessed parachute cleaning device having apertures for receiving saidpins and mounted on said body member for movement from a parachuteengaging position to a parachute releasing position, said pins being ofsuch a length as to extend into the recess in said device when thelatter is in its parachute engaging position and to be withdrawntherefrom when the device is in its parachute releasing position, andmeans for moving said device from its engaging position to its releasingposition when the pull on the parachute from the load is relaxedwhereupon said pins will be withdrawn from said recess and the parachutecleaned from said release mechanism.

6. The invention recited in claim including means for locking saiddevice in its parachute engaging position, and manipulative means forremoving said locking means.

'7. The invention recited in claim 6 including a manually operabledevice for locking said manipulative means.

8. An apparatus for automatically releasing a parachute from its loadcomprising a plurality of strain members fixedly attached to theparachute, and a mechanism for releasably fastening said strain membersto the load, said mechanism including a body member, a plurality of pinsprojecting from said member for engaging said strain members, a devicefor cleaning said strain members from said Pins, said device having arecess for receiving said strain members and apertures for receivingsaid pins, means for mounting said device on said body member formovement from a parachute holding position to a parachute releasingposition, said pins being of such a length as to extend into the recessand through the strain members when said device is in its holdingposition, and to be withdrawn from the recess and the strain memberswhen said device is in its releasing position, and means operating inresponse to the removal of tension from said strain members for movingsaid device from its holding position to its releasing positionwhereupon said pins will be withdrawn from said strain members and theparachute released from its load.

9. The invention recited in claim 8 wherein said last-named meansincludes a spring.

10. The invention recited in claim 8 wherein said last-named meansincludes a spring, the operation of which is normally prevented by thefrictional engagement between said pins and said strain members.

11. The invention recited in claim 8 including means for locking saiddevice in its holding position, and manipulative means for removing saidlocking means.

12. The invention recited in claim 11 including a manually operabledevice for locking said manipulative means.

13. The invention recited in claim 8 wherein said last-named meansincludes a spring, the operation of Which is normally prevented by thefrictional engagement between said pins and said strain members, andincluding means for locking said device in its holding position, andmanipulative means for removing said locking means.

14. The invention recited in claim 13 including a manually operabledevice for locking said manipulative means.

15. The invention recited in claim 8 wherein said pins are slidablymounted in said body member, and including means for resiliently urgingsaid pins outward from said body member, means for limiting the outwardtravel of said pins under the influence of said urging means, and aninclined camming surface formed on the outer end of each of said pinsfor enabling said strain members to be engaged with said pins when saiddevice is in its holding position, said strain members acting on saidcamming surfaces to force the pins inwardly against the influence ofsaid urging means.

JAMES L. HIGHT.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Gray Feb. 10, 1948Number

